The Impossible Dream

When you are learning how to write, it’s fairly common to feel twinges of jealousy toward your published friends, or even feel that becoming published is impossible. Are some authors lucky? Undoubtedly. Do others have access to inner circles we can’t join? Sure. Yet behind most successful authors lie endless stacks of practice writing, writing that was rejected or writing that came close but no cigar. If you think you’ve been called to write, are you willing to take the time it takes to learn your craft? While we are all called to make a joyful noise, we aren’t all called to perform in front of thousands. While we all have talents, hardly anyone is instantly transformed into a great writer, no matter how much potential there is. Practice the craft of writing as often as you can. Write your passion, your heart, even if there’s very little money in it. Keep at it and when you have learned enough, you’ll begin to see acceptances. The Impossible Dream becomes the Possible and even Probable if you are willing to stick with writing long enough.
Writing Tip for Today: Meawhile, remember to keep your creating (junking it through, writing cruddy first drafts) separated from your editing (rewriting, revising). These two distinct aspects of writing often cancel each other out if done together. Make a schedule–on three writing sessions, draft new stuff. On the 4th and 5th sessions (not on the same day) go ahead and revise if you wish. Keep those words coming.

About Linda S. Clare

I'm an author, speaker, writing coach and mentor. I teach both fiction and nonfiction writing at Lane Community College and in the doctoral program as expert writing advisor for George Fox University. I love helping writers improve their craft and I'm both an avid reader and writer of stories about those with wounded hearts.

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